English cricket in ashes . . . .

[Roger]

Whilst the mire is in Yorkshire mainly (atm), what's to be said about it ? No one is going to defend racism in any way but surely, there's a 'woke' influence to some degree, in these sudden discoveries ?

I've been surprised in the past at the nastiness one can hear fielding close to the bat and 'sledging' has been widespread in cricket (wrongly IMO) for time immemorial, I dread to think what 'racist' gems might have been included. 'Banter' ? Maybe.

At Yorkshire and the BBC, 'McCarthyism' has broken out - jobs lost, no trial etc. Poor old Michael Vaughan has been sorely treated at the BBC IMO and I hope he takes the BBC to an Industrial Tribunal    AS for not too blameless himself, Mr Rafiq, I hope he's happy now   

UNLIKE all England fans who are NOT happy atm.
Leaving out Broad and Anderson and batting first was potty IMO. One down in Oz and struggling from the first ball - well done England for the better second innings effort but, we are not amused       

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/11/ashes-gabba-england-australia-first-test-match-report-root-stokes-buttler-lyon-starc-carey

[Roger]

Hallelujah     England didn't lose a test Match   

Heroic performances from Bairstow, Stokes, Crawley, Wood, Broad, Anderson and Leach. But for Khawaja scoring centuries for the Aussies in both innings, it might have been tighter than a 'losing' draw   

Great to see and good to listen on R5 live thanks to TW's 'Hola' !
(Good on yer Cobber}.

Here's the irreplaceable Boycott on podcast https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2022/01/09/jos-buttler-should-not-play-another-test-joe-root-should-bat/

[Teessider]

England lose series in West Indies after an abject session with the new ball failed to finish off the Windies tail was followed by a desperately poor batting performance. Even though I'm a Yorkshireman I thing Root's time is up as captain. Stokes says he doesn't want the job leaving Stuart Broad as only candidate from the current squad. My pick would be James Vince. To get him in the team I would give Bairstow the wicketkeeper gloves. What do you think?

[Roger]

James Vince - that's an interesting idea. Of course, Ben Stokes would be a popular choice but having had time off for recuperation in recent times one wonders if he would want the job or maybe be unable to cope. I think Ben should stay vice-Captain.

Stuart Broad might be worth a try but a bit off the wall, I'd fancy Johnny Bairstow as Captain, his devotion to his England cricket is certain.

Broad and Anderson must be played until they drop ! We have no-one to match them as we have just found out. Now bottom of the World test rankings, the England team is a shambles.

I'd like to see this happen : "Justin Langer would be open to the possibility of coaching England if offered the job as the rebuilding of the Test team gathers pace after the defeat in West Indies. Telegraph Sport understands from sources close to Langer that he is interested in talking to the ECB about the vacant role of head coach." https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2022/03/28/justin-langer-keen-vacant-england-head-coach-role/ He would certainly shake 'em up a bit - it'd be goodbye at last to Joe's cozy World.

So Bairstow, Stokes, Root, Broad/Anderson, Wood, Leach, Crawley, Mahmood/Archer - surely we can build back around some of them. Vince is maybe a good idea.

As someone once said https://youtu.be/Dl-ai9HuR60

LET'S HOPE SO !!!!

[Roger]

England get their 2nd win in EIGHTEEN matches   

A great game against New Zealand with Joe Root seeing us through after dramatic ups and down on both sides.

The return of Anderson and Broad vindicated IMO and Potts had match figures of 7-68. Let's hope he gets to repeat that one day.

But the batting line up causes consternation again . . . . .

Thank God for the cricket - helped me survive the Jubilee weekend 

Roll on the 2nd Test on Friday 

[dam12641]

A glorious summer.
Rolled over the Kiwis and the Safas, with a win against India almost thrown in for free.

What do we get next?

Seven. Repeat seven 20/20s in Pakistan.

Just what is needed..........................................................................................

[Roger]

Yes what a fantastic season for the England test side     

A whitewash of New Zealand in the 3 tests, the Indian win AND recovering from a dire effort in the first test against South Africa to win 2-1.

I'll be honest - sometimes I couldn't believe my eyes. Some of these wins seemed to be conjured out of a no chance position. Never seen so many 'turnarounds'   

The greatest credits go to our new Coach, Brendan McCullum and the new Captain, Ben Stokes. But there were other startling efforts. English cricket is NOT in ashes - at last   

[Roger]

England's 3rd EVER test win in Pakistan in a game with 1768 runs - that's more than has ever been scored in a 5 day match, after England scored over 500 on the 1st day, also a record.

I must admit I was horrified when Stokes declared to set a target of just 344, in 4 sessions. But the win came with 5 minutes to go with Pakistan 87 short.

Startling stuff and the 2nd test starts this Thursday ?

[Teessider]

Amazing win Roger. England scored 921 runs off 821 balls. Pakistan batted for 114 overs more than England. England won with 10 men(Livingstone got injured and was unable to bowl) and without their wicket keeper. Harry Brook scored 240 in the match with 30 4's and 8 6's.

[Roger]

Thanks Teess. It's good fun init ?

Just incredible. Gotta say I think Stokes declared 10 overs too early but there we are.

My honest analysis - England played extremely well and bravely, but, in the end, were quite lucky!

We'll see. Lucky or not, it's better than losing all the time   

When I saw your post I was of a mind to give up here. If People don't want to chat, why bother ?

BTW - some great stats there. TW watches a lot of cricket I believe. ATB

[Roger]

A momentous 2nd win in a row and a series win, for England in Pakistan, making a total of 4 in history !!

Despite losing 5-19 at one stage England managed to set a reasonable target.

Another star in Harry Brook? How great to see Mark Wood flying again, Anderson just goes on and on and Ollie Robinson a threat too.

The 3rd Test will be fascinating with Pakistan desperate to win . . .

The improvement in this side since the arrival of McCullum is almost beyond belief!